IGP Appoints DCP Anthony Okon Placid as New Force Public Relations Officer

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.

The appointment was announced on Sunday, marking a new chapter in the communication and public engagement strategy of the police at the national level.

DCP Placid, a seasoned officer with decades of service in policing, brings to the role a wealth of experience spanning administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping assignments.

Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Placid hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (M.A.L.D) from the University of Jos. He also studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).

Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy in Kano in 1996 and was commissioned into the Force in August 1998.

Over the years, he has undertaken several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), earning certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection. He also attended the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding Course in Kenya.

The newly appointed police spokesperson has served in several strategic roles both within and outside Nigeria. His previous positions include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State; PPRO at the Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training with the African Union Mission in Sudan; and Head of Training and Development with the United Nations Mission in Darfur.

His field experience also includes serving as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu. He has also worked as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State, African Union Election Security Adviser, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi states.

In addition, he served as Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Intelligence Department in Abia State and later as Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters in Yola.

DCP Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer. He is also an International Committee of the Red Cross trainer on International Humanitarian Law.

He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025, before his redeployment to Cross River State.

The new Force Public Relations Officer is married with children. His hobbies include listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and engaging with people.

The announcement was made in a statement signed by the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on behalf of the Force Headquarters in Abuja on March 8, 2026.